Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
सखाय इन्द्रियगणा ज्ञानं कर्म च यत्कृतम् । सख्यस्तद्वृत्तय: प्राण: पञ्चवृत्तिर्यथोरग: ॥ ६ ॥
sakhāya indriya-gaṇā jñānaṁ karma ca yat-kṛtam sakhyas tad-vṛttayaḥ prāṇaḥ pañca-vṛttir yathoragaḥ
पञ्च कर्मेन्द्रियाणि पञ्च ज्ञानेन्द्रियाणि च पुरञ्जनीस्य पुंसः सखायः। तैः सह जीवः ज्ञानकर्मणी साधयति। तेषां वृत्तयः सख्य इव, पञ्चशीर्षोऽयमोरग इव प्राणः पञ्चवृत्तिभिः प्रवर्तते॥
kṛṣṇa-bahirmukha hañā bhoga-vāñchā kare nikaṭa-stha māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare
FAQs
This verse explains that the senses accompany the conditioned being and become the instruments through which knowledge and karma are generated, binding one to worldly experience.
He highlights that the life-air operates in multiple functional flows (fivefold), animating sense-activity in varied ways—similar to how a serpent moves with different motions.
By recognizing that senses and prāṇa drive habits and reactions, one can practice restraint, mindful living, and bhakti to redirect sense-energy away from compulsive karma toward devotion.